Tuesday, January 29, 2013

Life is tough. Some days more than others. And even more so when you are just two years old (or three, or four...). Life doesn't make sense when your entire universe is made up of what you can see and hear and feel right. at. this. exact. moment. The bigger picture hasn't formed yet, and egocentrism is a normal, healthy, temporary stage of development. Mental pain (via confusion, anxiety, disorientation, fear, loneliness, boredom, sleepiness, malnourishment, insecurity, etc.) equals physical pain at this age - and it is very real.

The next time your two year old (or three year old, or four year old...) has a meltdown because he can't find that tiny little rock he picked up at the park yesterday, remember: in his world this IS catastrophic. This is gravely serious, and rather than dismissal or distain for these tears and fears, he needs your loving arms wrapped around him - and maybe an adventure back to the park to find another special rock.

As highlighted in the 2010 article, 7 Breastfeeding Fact You Should Know, parents are reminded that stirring, mouth opening, turning a head (to seek a nipple) and rooting are signs that your baby is hungry. Stretching, becoming agitated, and sucking on her fist, fingers or thumb is your baby's way of telling you that she is really hungry. By the time fussing and crying start, your baby is experiencing hunger that is physically painful. It is the type of hunger you experience after your belly has been empty for 14-16 hours. Your baby's belly is very small - this is the reason she gets full so quickly, and then hungry again so soon. Her tiny stomach cannot handle more than this, and does not have any place to 'store' some for later. She is entirely dependent upon you to provide that fill-up according to her cues that she is hungry.

Too often new parents believe they should schedule feedings or wait until their baby cries to nurse. But crying is a late indicator of extreme hunger. Always eating when you are so famished, when your belly hurts and stress hormones from being anxious to eat are at an ultimate high, leads to things like reflux, gas, stomach aches, 'colic,' and general agitation and general withdrawal from the world around - especially if you are brand new and helpless in this world.

Don't wait until your baby is in pain to nurse. Instead, feed at the first cue of hunger, and everyone will be much healthier and happier all around.